She said: "We are obviously deeply concerned that we have had no sightings of Mikaeel.

"All lines of inquiry in the investigation remain open, we are pursuing many lines of inquiry.

"I would ask anyone who has got any information to get in touch with us.

"We still have no evidence of any criminality at this point."

LOCALS: Residents hunt high and low for the missing boy [PA]

HOME: A massive police operation searches the boy's home [PA]

She said that officers have spoken to Mikaeel's father and that all of the boy's family have been very helpful to the police, adding: "No-one is detained, no-one is a suspect, we have no evidence of any criminality."

More than 150 calls had been made to the helpline which has been set up but there have been no confirmed sightings yet, while CCTV from the scene has been examined but has turned up "nothing significant" so far.

Police urged locals to check their gardens, sheds, parks and lock-ups for the missing youngster.

Mikaeel's mother, named as Rosdeep Kular, 33, is said to be "distraught" as she waits for news as to the whereabouts of her son.

INVESTIGATION: Police say there is still no evidence of criminality [PA]

GUARD: A policeman stands outside Mikaeel's home where his mother is said to be "distraught" [PA]

She put him to bed at around 9pm on Wednesday only to find his room empty when she checked at about 7.15am yesterday.

The little boy, who has two sisters and two brothers, usually sleeps in the same room as his twin sister but was alone on Wednesday night.

His jacket and shoes were missing and police are looking into whether he might have left of his own accord.